Falcons are in a position to buy at the NFL trade deadline, but will they?

The Falcons sit atop the NFC South after gutting out a win over the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay on Sunday.

With the postseason in their sights, the club has already bolstered the roster by acquiring Van Jefferson to add some speed to a thin receiver room. Terry Fontenot is in a position to buy, but will he make another move?

According to Dianna Russini, Sunday’s slate of games was a turning point in which teams were deciding whether to sell or buy. The NFL trade deadline is a week away, and the Falcons have plenty of draft capital to make a deal. However, I don’t see it as likely.

Atlanta is certainly among the clubs who could warrant buying at the deadline, but it probably doesn’t make too much sense to make a splash, given the state of the quarterback position.

The only scenario that makes sense is an edge defender, and there are a few that would entice a team like the Falcons. Chase Young, Danielle Hunter, and Josh Uche are some names that would excite fans, but the reality is the defense doesn’t necessarily have the snaps available to make a move.

Bud Dupree has played much better of late, and those three would undoubtedly be an upgrade, but at what cost? All three are on expiring contracts, which doesn’t make much sense for the Falcons, who are not Super Bowl contenders with Desmond Ridder under center.

Acquiring Young, Hunter, Uche, or another edge defender would mean taking snaps away from Bud Dupree or Arnold Ebiketie. Though it may prove to be an immediate improvement, it wouldn’t be smart in the long term to take away valuable reps from your second-round pick.

The only move(s) I could potentially see Terry Fontenot making are ones like Van Jefferson — the value makes sense and bolsters depth. The blockbuster deals just don’t pass the smell test. This regime hasn’t swung a trade like that yet and won’t start now. With Desmond Ridder under center, the club’s future is uncertain. Going all-in with their current quarterback situation is gross mismanagement.

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